Thursday, July 5, 2018

improvements

I took Oliver in to the vet a few weeks ago to discuss getting him started on Prozac to try to curb the spraying. At the vet's office, he just purred and purred and was super lovey. The vet said he is the most perfect cat ever. Ok, maybe that's not a direct quote, but it was something like that.

The vet agreed to try him on Prozac, so he's now happily medicated. I think it's working, as I don't think he's sprayed outside the litter box since. (Spraying in the litter box feels like a good compromise to me.)

Around that same time, we made a few other changes too that might be contributing to the success. We installed some window fans up high so we could keep the lower windows closed, that way he could see the community cats but not smell them and hear them as easily.

We also installed these K&H Thermo Kitty Sill (cushy window perches) in each window. It seemed Oliver was always in the window that Theo wanted, which caused Theo to act out against Oliver - so we hoped by creating more desirable spots, they would be more options and less tension. I still believe that Theo never forgot that years ago when Oliver showed up, Theo lost his back porch access, because it became Oliver's space.

These window perches are awesome! They come with a heating pad, which will be amazing for winter time, for now we just slipped those out and set them aside for future use.

The frame is plastic and three screws into the window sill keep it in place.

Then comes the cushy layer and finally the fleece cover.

With the medication and these improvements, we've been experiencing more kitty harmony and no spraying from Oliver. Yah!!! May the peace continue.

It seems you're being very proactive and trying everything possible, with success! The perches look fabulous! I've seen similar ones online and ones with suction cups (that I wouldn't be inclined to trust), but I don't recall the weight capacity. I'm guessing up to about 20 pounds?

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Nahum Fluffer-Nutter

This big guy was rescued from the street and placed into a shelter when he was about a year old and we fell in love with him and his sister Willow at an adoption event at the local pet store. He appears to be predominately Maine Coon. He is friendly, incredibly curious and a complete goof-ball!

Theo

Theo appeared at my in-laws doorstep in rural Indiana, cold, hungry and desperate for affection. Upon taking care of those needs, his sweet disposition quickly stole my heart and I made the arrangements to fly him back home. He looks and acts a lot like a Bengal. Theo is bold, tenacious and amazingly easy going.

Rose

Rose was a tiny kitten, only 8 weeks old when I rescued her from the engine compartment of a truck in front of the house. She loves to play. She is easily startled, but she is getting more relaxed with time.

Oliver

Oliver is our outside kitty. He showed up as a stray and now enjoys two meals a day and a heated and insulated kitty home in the yard. He is very sweet, loves to be held and to melt into one's lap every chance he can get.

Pierre

One of Oliver's sons, Pierre is playful, inquisitive, and bold.

Nora

Oliver's girl, Nora remains the most feral. She only comes around to eat and is easily spooked.

Willow (2009-Jan 9, 2018)

Sweet Willow was found with Nahum living on the street. She was a smaller cat who absolutely loved to hunt bugs! She also had a fondness for napping in front of the fire and stealing slurps from your unattended glass of water. She was my precious, cuddly, little girl. She died in Jan 2018, after a very rapid decline from a fast growing brain tumor.

Buddy (1999-Aug 2016)

We adopted Buddy from a shelter when he was 12 years old. He was a complete snuggle bug and loved to have his tummy rubbed.

MK (Dec 2011 - Jan 2015)

Oliver's other son, MK was silly - a complete goof! He loved to play and to head bonk Oliver and his siblings. Sadly, he went missing in Jan 2015 and never returned. His family misses him.

Max (1995 - May 2009)

Max was my first cat. His amazingness set the standard for all other cats. He was the perfect blend of playful, snuggly and adventurous. He frequently would fall asleep in my arms and desired to be held indefinitely. He loved adorning his harness and leash for long walks around the yard. Sadly, he passed away in May of 2009 after a long fight with chronic kidney failure.

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